Ortonville- Barbara White has been making quilts for about a quarter of a century and estimates that over the years, she has created about a dozen, although she only has two in her possession.
‘I’d like to keep more, but every time I start one, someone wants it,? says the Hadley Township resident and member of the Country Quilt Guild.
Her children and grandchildren have several, but the public can view some of White’s work, as well as about 200 quilts from her fellow guild members and other community residents at the Bi-Annual Country Church Quilt Show, planned for 10 a.m.-6 p.m., April 30 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 1, at the Ortonville United Methodist Church, 93 Church St. A $5 donation for admission to the show is requested, with proceeds to benefit the Ortonville United Methodist Women’s missions. A lunch of chicken salad, sloppy joes, apple crisp and cream puffs will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for a separate cost of $5.
The bi-annual quilt show began in May 1986 and the Guild in September of the same year, said White. ‘It’s a wonderful show, the quilts are beautiful and inspirational,? said Brenda Heffernan, owner of Mabelena, a quilt shop located at 470 Mill St. in the village.
A few of the quilts will be for sale, but most are for show.
White began quilting when her children were young, and returned to it about 10 years ago when she retired and joined the Country Quilt Guild and had more time for it. The guild has about 30 members, who exchange ideas and enjoy each other’s company as they sit together and stitch when they meet at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at OUMC. They also do charity work, making quilts for hospitals, premature infants, and chemotherapy patients. The guild is open to anyone interested in quilting. Annual membership dues are $15.
The length of time it takes to make a quilt depends on how much you work at it, she said, as well as whether the quilt is done by hand or machine, and the amount of applique work.
‘I like the creativity as much as anything,? said White. ‘A lot of people think it’s relaxing. I don’t know about that, because I’m too particular, but I enjoy the end product so much.?
For more information on the Country Church Quilt Show, call Terrie McCullough at 810-636-2102 or Brenda Heffernan at 248-627-9100.